Background Information

In 2005, three species1 under the Marine Life Management Act Nearshore Fishery Management Plan were assessed and accepted for management purposes in California: gopher rockfish (Sebastes carnatus), California scorpionfish (Scorpaena guttata) and cabezon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus). This was the first assessment of the gopher rockfish stock in California waters, north of Point Conception.

The gopher rockfish stock assessment concluded that the population was healthy. Subsequently, nearshore regulations were somewhat relaxed due to the higher abundance of gopher rockfish. This assessment, like many nearshore stock assessments, was considered relatively data-poor, although suitable for use in managing the stock. The major uncertainty in this assessment was the use of a recreational catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) to measure the relative abundance, given that CPUE may not be directly related to stock size. Details of the uncertainties in the assessment are outlined in the Stock Assessment Review (STAR) report.

The gopher rockfish stock assessment is available in PDF format online or a request can be made to receive a CD-ROM containing copies of (1) the stock assessment and (2) the STAR report by contacting Ms. Meisha Key at (831) 420-3973 or meisha.key@wildlife.ca.gov. Should you need additional information, please contact Ms. Deb Wilson-Vandenberg, Nearshore Fishery Management Plan Implementation Coordinator, at (831) 649-2892 or deb.wilsonvandenberg@wildlife.ca.gov.